Virtual Travel, Restaurant and Entertainment Booking Magazine

Abstract

A reservation, sales, ordering and information system is disclosed. The system includes a front end interface network including a graphical user interface virtual travel, restaurant and entertainment booking magazine operating on multiple consumer computers and a back end network composed of a network of data sources, data input mechanisms and processing mechanisms available via the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is composed of a virtual travel, restaurant and entertainment booking magazine replicating a travel magazine providing ready access to information.

1 . A reservation, sales, ordering and information system, comprising:
 a front end interface network composed of a graphical user interface operating on multiple consumer computers and a back end network composed of a network of data sources, data input mechanisms and processing mechanisms available via the graphical user interface;   the graphical user interface being composed of a virtual travel, restaurant and entertainment booking magazine replicating a travel magazine providing ready access to information.   
     
     
         2 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 1 , wherein the virtual travel, restaurant and entertainment booking magazine provides access to reviews and video promotional materials regarding travel, restaurant or entertainment information of interest. 
     
     
         3 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 1 , wherein the virtual travel, restaurant and entertainment booking magazine provides ordering, reserving, or purchasing of services or goods. 
     
     
         4 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 1 , wherein the back end network includes a content server linked to a plurality of providers of goods or services via a global communication network. 
     
     
         5 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 4 , wherein the content server stores and distributes content relating to goods or services of the plurality of providers for viewing upon the graphical user interface. 
     
     
         6 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 4 , wherein the content server includes a booking engine allowing for transactions relating to ordering, reserving or otherwise purchasing of goods or services of the plurality of providers. 
     
     
         7 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of providers is enabled to access the content server for updating travel, restaurant or entertainment content stored upon the content server. 
     
     
         8 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of providers directly connects with the content server for the purpose of updating information or inventory. 
     
     
         9 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of providers forwards information or inventory to a consolidator that is directly connected with the content server. 
     
     
         10 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of providers forwards information or inventory to an operator of the content server who will then update the information or inventory on the content server. 
     
     
         11 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface provides links to articles, hotels, shows, restaurants, attractions and hot deals. 
     
     
         12 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 11 , wherein for each of the links to articles, hotels, shows, restaurants, attractions and hot deals the graphical user interface provides a link offering an option of watching a video promo, booking a reservation or viewing rates and reviews. 
     
     
         13 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 12 , wherein the links offering the consumer the option of watching a video promo, booking a reservation or viewing rates and reviews direct the consumer to a window displaying the content. 
     
     
         14 . The reservation, sales, ordering and information system according to  claim 11 , wherein the virtual travel, restaurant and entertainment booking magazine includes a cover, a table of contents with hypertext links to the various sections of the virtual travel, restaurant and entertainment booking magazine, and descriptive material shown in an open magazine format.